Leader's Den

[BLiZZARD]

This is the leader's den, where the leader sleeps.

[<3 Bella.]

Mazestar stretched, and shook her fur as she awoke. It was early morning, maybe just before dawn. She heard the silent rustles of the dawn patrol beginning to leave. She peeked outside to see who was up and about at this time.

[Antelope]

Talonheart sat straight in the clearing watching the dawn patrol disappear out into the forest. He sighed when his gaze rested on the small pile of kill. 'I will have to send some cats to get more prey when more wake up,' He noted in his mind. A rustle from behind made him glance back to see Mazestar. Then he addressed his leader without turning around. "Good morning Mazestar," He said lightly. Then he turned to face his leader when she would exit her den, and waited.

[<3 Bella.]

The Gray leader smiled to her deputy and meowed, "Good Morning Talonheart." Mazestar looked around, "I could join a patrol, if you need one made. I just heard the dawn patrol move out. Is a hunting patrol avalible?" she said, though she stopped hoping she wasnt asking too many questions. "Sorry, if I'm talking too much."

[Antelope]

"Its quiet alright," He said calmly. His eyes rested on his leader. "We could go out for a hunting patrol, the pile is low," He added flicking his tail toward the near empty pile. Talonheart didn't like hunting that much, but he would still do it. He was better at fighting moves. A bitter memory from the past in his mind. How he became a skilled fighter just to be like his father. He failed his whole family that leaf bare. Shame stung the back of his throat. He quickly pushed away the memory, hoping his face didn't give anything away.

[<3 Bella.]

Mazestar smiled, "Sure lets go." She led the way through the tunnel and out into the territory. She breathed and smiled as scents of fresh flowers and wild prey surrounded them. "Newleaf is the source of life. Don't you think? It brings good fortune to the clans."

[Antelope]

Talnheart fallowed her out of camp. "Yes, it is," He replied. Memories of playing as a kit in new leaf tickle his mind, making him feel light hearted. He quickly shifted his scenes to pick up sound. There a small squirrel dug around a tree. Swiftly he crouched and crept forward. As he pounced, Talonheart prayed to Star Clan that he wouldn't look clumsy in front of his leader. The prayer wasn't answered. He landed clumsily on his front paws and his mouth met the prey's tail. It was trapped still. He cursed inwardly, then killed it quickly. 'Some hunter i am,' He told himself. He glanced at Mazestar slightly embarrassed. " Well, I just tought you a new technique," He announced sarcastically.

[<3 Bella.]

The leader chuckled, "It's okay. At least you caught the prey. Besides, it wasn't all that bad of a 'technique'." she purred. Mazestar put her tail on his shoulder comfortingly, then she tasted the air once more. "Well, there doesnt seem to be much prey here. Lets move farther into the territory. Maybe we'll find something better there." she said. She turned back to him, a teasing smile on her lips, "And maybe you could show me that technique of yours again."

[Antelope]

If cats could blush, Talonheart would be deep red. He flicked his his tail slightly. "Alright, lets see you catch something," He mumbled scraping the squirrel under a root. He hated not being able to hunt well, and he had looked up to the to the teasing smile on his leader's face. He tried to stop it, but couldn't. His own smile came upon his face. "Lets go deeper into the forest then," He said composing himself and suddenly being a mocking seriousness.

[<3 Bella.]

Alright, lets see you catch something. she heard him mumbled, and she tasted the air. For now it was her turn to hunt. Mazestar sensed a bird, and scanned the trees above, until she spotted a mockingbird. She crouched, and quietly moved closer. The bird started to fly away, but quickly she leaped and brought it down. She killed it with a bite on the neck.

[Antelope]

He stared at her wide eyed. Then quickly changed his facial expression. Compared to him, she was a master at hunting. Mazestar could probably hunt circles around Talonheart. There was a vole not to far off. Now was his chance to redeem himself. Swiftly, but not gracefully, he killed the prey. ' That was better then before,' he said to himself proudly. "Not the best, but that kill was better, right?" He asked his leader.

[<3 Bella.]

Mazestar agreed, "Much Better." She smiled warmly at him, "Do you think this is enoughtolast the clan for the next week or so?" She asked glancing slightly at their small pile of prey. She knew she was the one to make the choices, but sahe prefered, to take advice from others, and at least let her deputy get a say once in a while. The dark gray leader's green eyes, looked him over. I hope he doesnt mind. she thought.

[Antelope]

"Maybe, but i will send another patrol later," Talonheart mewed as he picked up his kill. The fresh blood and meat clogged his nose. It also made his mouth water. He had to remember that the kits and elders eat first. Quickly he dropped the kill and looked at his leader. "What do you think?" He wanted another point of view to compare his own.

[<3 Bella.]

"Well, it is newleaf, and prey is plentiful on the pile now. You could send a patrol if you want but a small one. Oh, and can you ask some of the apprentices if they can sort the prey thats still good on the bottom and put them on top. So the prey doesnt spoil,a dn so every mouse is eaten." she smiled, but quieted, even as a leader she talked to much.

[Antelope]

"Right," He agreed with the logic. "That would seem like a wise choice, to place the less fresh prey on top." He glanced at his leader and smiled, "I never thought about that." Suddenly a scent of fox drifted faintly in the air. It seemed to be farther in the thunder clan territory. Talonheart stiffened and perked his ears for the faintest sound. "Fox," He hissed before padding toward the scent. He knew it was risky to go right to the fox, but he had to make sure that it was in their territory. Plus it might be heading toward camp.